Passport application won't accept middle names

[FallenSky]

Trying to renew my passport. I have 2 middle names, altogether my forename and middle names are 27 characters including spaces. I need to change my surname and it's allowing me to put all my names in the "new name" section but when it gets to the part asking for any previous names it keeps cutting off the last 4 characters. It's driving me mad. I was thinking of submitting as it is and then sending a covering letter with my old passport to say that the system wouldn't allow the full name but this is what it is in my old passport etc and sign it. Do you think that would be acceptable? If all else fails I guess I could do the paper application but I really resent having to pay more because my parents gave me such a long name.. help!

Writing it on a separate piece of paper should be acceptable. I recently had to write all of my son's grandparents details for the passport to be renewed

You need to speak to the passport office for guidance- better to do so and get official advice than through us lot.

Thanks. I called the advice line and he said that a covering letter with my old passport should be fine but he didn't seem too sure 😬

You know you don't have to include your middle names, right?

@CallTheMobWife Yes, but annoyingly the part that won't accept it is the part where I have to put what name is in my previous passport which includes my middle names. I'd be quite happy to leave them out otherwise.